TV is a tough place to be a superhero.

The last three shows in that vein crashed and burned. After a promising first season, NBC’s ‘Heroes’ decided to dwell in mediocrity for another three.ABC’s ‘No Ordinary Family’ never really got off the ground. Then there was NBC’s ‘The Cape.’ Nobody talks about ‘The Cape.’ So why is ‘Misfits,’ the British version of a superhero series, so good?

The premise is stripped down and simple. Five young miscreants sentenced to community service get caught in an unexplained electrical storm. As a result, they develop some strange abilities. Pretty basic as far as this type of show goes, but ‘Misfits’ thrives in its simplicity. Much of what destroyed ‘Heroes’ was an overcomplicated backstory, which ‘Misfits’ isn’t caught up in. Who cares why the storm happened? What’s interesting is that it did happen, and now these characters have to deal with it.

And the characters are good ones. They all start off as stereotypical archetypes, but it feels like they all have places to go. What’s most enjoyable is that these people have no idea what to do with their respective powers. There isn’t a completely noble one among them. None of them are looking to save the world when they’re still trying to figure their own lives out. They feel real, or as real as someone with a supernatural talent can be.

The collection of powers is also atypical. Most of it feels restricted by budget. No one flies because flying would cost a lot of money. Kelly can read minds, which comes with a predictable set of problems. Simon can become invisible when he’s being ignored. Curtis can reverse time. And Alisha, with what doesn’t quite seem like a power, can make people want to have sex with her whenever they come into contact with her skin. Meanwhile, the fifth member and most outspoken of the bunch, Nathan, has no idea what his power is.

The show is a fun variation on a tired format. Rather than imbuing everyone with ‘A-list’ abilities, the show has fun giving these dumb kids low-budget powers. Other people in the show’s universe were outside during the electrical storm and have developed their own talents, providing for some nice humor throughout the show’s run.

As with any British show —and fans of the original Skins can confirm this —the show likes to shoehorn in lots and lots of pop music. It can be fun at times, like a chase sequence set to LCD Soundsystem’s ‘Sound of Silver.’ However, it can also feel forced as well. After the sixth or seventh song in an episode, it can even get a little annoying. We get it, ‘Misfits,’ you’re a hip show.

Music aside, there’s no real reason not to give it a chance. Sure, it’s easy to pass off as a superhero show, but ‘Misfits’ revels in turning that archetype on its head.

Note: There’s so much TV out it can be hard to decide what to cover. If there are any shows you’re dying to get a snarky opinion on, please email Jeff.

jswucher@syr.edu

Published on February 5, 2012 at 12:00 pm

Contact Jeff: jswucher@syr.edu